Maïa Barouh's musical journey began at a young age, influenced by her late father, Pierre Barouh, a singer, writer, and composer. Immersed in a creative and musical environment, she started playing instruments at six years old and developed a deep passion for music, particularly the flute. As her career progressed, she embraced diverse musical mediums and eventually ventured into singing and songwriting. 

By combining modern pop and electronic music with traditional Japanese folk music , Maïa Barouh creates a captivating soundscape for her original poetry performed in French and Japanese, embracing her dual heritage.

Barouh has fearlessly used her talents throughout her career to shed light on important global issues, such as racism and feminism. Her latest song, "La Forêt," (which translates to "The Forest"), a collaboration with forest conservation specialists Everland, addresses deforestation. Barouh told us that the song intricately weaves themes ranging from joyful childhood memories of visiting forests in France with her family to the critical issue of deforestation and its impact on humanity's relationship with the natural world.

Through "La Forêt," Barouh pays homage to Indigenous and traditional communities, highlighting their sustainable land management practices that have safeguarded forests for generations.

Collaborating with musicians from the Ainu community of Hokkaido and drawing inspiration from them, she sheds light on their resilience in the face of colonialism, oppression and displacement. 

The importance of forests for our planet's well-being cannot be overstated; they serve as carbon sinks that absorb harmful emissions that destroy the planet and provide essential resources and habitats for endangered species. Yet, with 10 million hectares of forests lost annually, an area about the size of Iceland, the consequences extend beyond wildlife and affect the over 1.5 billion people who rely on forests for their livelihoods.

Global South countries, including African nations like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, and Tanzania, and South American countries like Brazil, Guatemala, and Paraguay, are facing significant forest loss due to deliberate deforestation and human-caused climate change. Without urgent action to protect forests across the globe, by 2030, it is estimated that only 10% of the world's rainforests may be left.

Barouh spoke with Global Citizen about her latest project, "La Forêt," in collaboration with Everland. She sheds light on the urgent consequences of deforestation and the crucial role of Indigenous communities in protecting the world's forests.

Tell us how you brought La Forêt to life?

Maïa Barouh: The inspiration for the song "La Forêt" came from my childhood memories of spending time in the countryside of France, surrounded by nature. Despite growing up in big cities like Paris and Tokyo, I had the chance to escape to the countryside occasionally. We had this house in the countryside of France, and we used to spend a lot of time there, being in a forest, being by the river, with lots of animals everywhere, so I tried to remember that, so that’s how I started to write the lyrics and the song. 

I didn't want to come across as someone who knows it all because I grew up in the countryside. No, I want to be honest about that, like I have nothing to teach or to tell people. Instead, I aimed to offer a different perspective through my art and allow people to interpret the message in their way. So that's why I can't say, “Don't cut your trees” or “Don't do this.” I know we are not supposed to impose any feelings, but to propose something, and then everybody could feel how they want to feel. And I think that's art, you know? I mean, that's our position as artists.

What made you want to create the song?

Maïa Barouh: I set out to show how deeply intertwined we as people are with the forests. Nature can survive without us but when the trees feel thirst, so do we. When the trees burn, so do we. And if forests fall, so will we. 

Through this truth, I hope La Forêt inspires a moment of reflection on our relationship with nature, our choices and our responsibilities as consumers and voters. Perhaps it can even help us reconnect with a part of ourselves we often lose in the rush of life.

In your collaboration with Everland, what message do you aim to convey to the world through this project?

Maïa Barouh: Someone from Everland discovered my work through the internet and YouTube, including my music videos where I blend Japanese and French. They found my approach interesting and believed it could help raise awareness about the urgent need to protect the forests. The goal was to create a song in a language other than English. 

When Everland asked me to create a song in Japanese and French about deforestation, I was hesitant because I wanted to avoid sounding too cheesy or pretentious. I wanted to find the right angle to talk about the forest and convey the message effectively.

Everyone has their own struggles and perspectives. If my music can inspire people to appreciate the importance of nature, even for just a few minutes, and encourage them to spend time in the forest, then that's already good. Perhaps some individuals may even take further action. Ultimately, it's also important to recognize the work Everland is doing around the world.

In what ways do you hope La Forêt will impact environmental and social change?

Maïa Barouh: I can't predict the impact of La Forêt, but I hope it influences more artists to talk about deforestation and protecting the planet. If more famous artists talk about these topics, whether it's about trees, water, or animals, it could make a difference. Everyone has their personal angle to talk about it. I used my Franco-Japanese background to showcase and celebrate Indigenous people and traditional rituals. I don't know if it's because of art, but people talking about it could make a difference.

What is the significance of featuring artists from Indigenous and traditional communities in Japan, and how did their contributions enrich the project?

Maïa Barouh: The Ainu people are the indigenous people of Japan who have historically lived in the forests. However, like many other indigenous communities around the world, they have faced oppression. Therefore, I needed to showcase this culture as a form of messaging. 

I believe it's important for people to hear the singing of the Ainu people and to see their traditional practices, as it can help shift perspectives. By experiencing their music and traditions, people can understand that these communities have existed for a long time and are still present today, despite facing oppression. 

The process of creating the music video was an adventure that involved traveling to Japan, I had the opportunity to collaborate with musicians from the Ainu community for the song. 

However, In the music video traditional Japanese dancers performed Shishi Odori, a traditional dance ritual originating from Tono, Japan.

It's not just about having a party, dancing, and playing drums. The traditional dance ritual holds deep meaning as they are carried out to show respect for the forest and its inhabitants. Throughout the dance, pariticipants wear traditional masks and clothing representing animals like lions or deer to symbolize the good balance between humans and nature. It's a way to show respect and to reconsider our relationship with nature, how to live with nature and not against it.

What emotions did you want listeners to feel when listening to this song? 

Maïa Barouh: In the songwriting process for "La Forêt," I started by writing the lyrics and the song, seeking input from my musician friends and partners. I aimed to incorporate both Japanese and French language, with the Japanese side being more childlike and poetic, and the French side having a more direct and political tone. I also had to sing in both languages, using French to be straightforward with the message of the song and Japanese for the poetic expression.

Regarding the emotions I wanted listeners to feel, I believe good art should not impose any feelings. I dislike it when singers label their songs as sad or happy because we all have our feelings, we are all different, we don’t feel the same thing. Some might feel joy and dance to a song without understanding the lyrics, while others might listen to the song’s lyrics and say, "Oh, that’s sad" and see there is a bigger message. I don’t even know how I feel about the song. I experience mixed emotions; I feel happy at some point, and I also feel sad at some point. The best songs evoke mixed feelings because we all experience a blend of emotions. When a song captures both sadness and happiness, it feels more genuine and relatable.

This article was written in collaboration with Everland, a partner of Global Citizen. Everland works to help people prosper by conserving their forests and wildlife, mitigating climate change for the benefit of all.